2015: INEC’S independence must prevail over politicians – Saraki

By Ahmed Abubakar

Former Governor of Kwara state, Senator. Bukola Saraki has warned that politicians must allow the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to remain an Independent body and not interfere in situation that will compromise the electoral body.

Saraki gave the warning in a press statement issued by him yesterday, saying that, “politicians must allow the INEC to remain an Independent body and not interfere in situation that will compromise the electoral body.”

“Ahead of the 2015 general elections, I urge INEC to maintain its credibility by holding strong to the founding tenets of the organization which is independent of any political group or party. I also urge the organization to ensure it puts in all effort to ensure 2015 elections emerge the best on ground of transparency, independence and fairness”, he stated.

“In the last few years, Nigeria’s electoral process has been witnessing salient changes; to a high level, candidates and masses are certain that elections will be won based on votes casted and counted legally, this is a development that we must commend the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega.”

According to him, the development does not only give confidence to electorates, it also compels political office holders to perform in order to avoid been voted out.

“These are good developments for our democracy as a nation. This has been seen in recent elections, like the Osun election, where the voices of the people was heard through their votes.

“However, as more developments are been introduced into the electoral system to ensure a more patterned and transparent election in 2015; it’s important not to ting or handle electoral processes politically.

On the cancellation of additional pulling units, the former governor said this must be the opinion of INEC as an independent organization and not that of the Senate committee on Electoral matters.

His words, “With due respect to the Chairman of Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba,as discussions are on-going about the cancelation of new polling units created across the country, we must note that this must be the opinion of INEC as an independent organization and not that of the Senate committee on Electoral matters.